It seems everyone has had at least one regrettable night out on the town. But what if you could prevent that pesky morning after while staying safe? The Alcohoot smartphone breathalyzer allows users to test their BAC on-the-go and boasts “police-grade accuracy.” The Alcohoot is small enough to fit in a purse or pocket and weighs just 50 grams. It looks like this little device can prevent a lot of trouble. According to the company website, the Alcohoot smartphone breathalyzer can test BAC through the use of “cutting edge fuel sensors, paired together with a smart internal pump and pressure sensor to provide consistent professional grade accuracy.” Users just plug the device into their smartphones in conjunction with the Alcohoot app to create a personal breathalyzer.

In addition to BAC tracking, the Alcohoot smartphone breathalyzer provides a variety of features to keep users safe. Users of the products can track their alcohol intake throughout the entire night and the app also provides details to help users find a taxi or a walking-distance restaurant.

However, this product isn’t the only of its kind on the market. How does the Alcohoot smartphone breathalyzer stand up to the competition, most notably the BACtrack? According to Eugene Kim’s article in PC Mag, both products are similar in look and feel and essentially provide the same level of accuracy and consistency in reporting BAC over time.  The Alcohoot wins out on ease-of-use in terms of instal-ability, but the BACtrack bluetooth capability is more convenient in the long run.

Kim’s main concern however is the way each product presents information. While the Alcohoot smartphone breathalyzer provides a variety of information, it doesn’t put that information in context, as opposed to the BACtrack which provides more straight forward information, like the time period it will take for the user  to become sober.

Between the two products users will have to decide based on preference of features. However, both seem to accurately provide results for its most basic function: the consumer’s BAC level. But just as Kim’s article states, regarding driving for the night, “if you have to ask, the answer is no.”

Stay safe this weekend everyone!